The Magi Genii tokens, MT221, MT222, MT223, are pieces cross-collected as Civil War Store Cards. The definitive guide to store cards is George and Melvin Fuld’s, U.S. Civil War Store Cards, 2nd Edition, Quartermaster Publications, Inc., 1975. It incidentally notes that the MT’s are “assumed to be magician’s satirical pieces”.

MT221 equates to Ohio 165AD-2a.
MT223 equates to Ohio 165FN-11d.

I expected MT222 to match the third and last remaining Magi Genii token in Fuld, Ohio 165AD-1a, but neither the obverse nor the reverse matches. The MT obverse listed in Kuethe is the same as the other two reverses of 165AD-2a and 165FN-11a. The MT reverse is identified as an Indian head with an 1863 date. The Fuld AD-1a Indian head die would have been die 1046 which has 1864 date. There are other die combinations in 165FN11 including the following candidate 1863 Indian head dies: 1018, 1019, 1021, 1022, 1036, and 1042. From the Kuethe photo, I believe it’s either the same as OH 165FN-3d Rev (1018) which is also C-N, or OH 165FN-6a Rev (1022). Does MT222 really exist? Am I missing something? If anyone has it, I’d bet the CWT Society would like to authenticate the combination.

I have a token similar to MT028 in that it's a steel shell, but says CHINA instead of "Made in Japan" (I've submitted a scan to JL). It's 23.5 to 24mm in diameter. I also have an MT028 that's the same diameter.

The Heyl Catalog has two letters regarding the Ushers tokens. The first is interesting, in that it notes the obverse where “GOOD LUCK” is replaced by “WISHING YOU”, a variety not included in Kuethe. The second letter/article identifies 5 obverse varieties. Briefly:

First, on Saturn, “Ushers Venice, cal” with no period. Has anyone seen this?
Second, under Saturn, no copyright text, just the letter “C in a circle under Saturn
Third, text “Venice, Cal.” with period
Fourth, same, different die
Fifth, nothing on Saturn, copyright text above Saturn.

I haven’t seen the first, and the 3rd and 4th are not very specific, as I’ve seen 4 varieties that meet the description. To distinguish between them, I look at the point of the largest star, and where the 6 in “1936” is above. If #1 exists, I believe there are at least 7 obverse dies. Has there been any other published reference on these? Has anyone studied these? I’ve put my own notes below. If you’d like scans, let me know.

OBVERSE #1
Legend on Saturn: THE USHERS VENICE CALIF
Large Star points to Sagittarius: Under left leg
Position of 6 to Omega/Leo: n/a, no year
Outside Legend: * Wishing You * Wealth * Health * Happiness
Copyright Legend: c under Saturn, clouds & 2 stars in place of copyright.
Other: Oldest die?

OBVERSE #2
Legend on Saturn: None
Large Star points to Sagittarius/X: Far left
Position of 6 to Omega/Leo: n/a six is under Virgo
Outside Legend: * Good Luck * Wealth * Health * Happiness
Copyright Legend: COPYRIGHT 1936 BY THE USHERS – VENICE CALIF
Other: Latest die?

OBVERSE #3
Legend on Saturn: THE USHERS VENICE, CAL.
Large Star points to Sagittarius: Under left leg
Position of 6 to Omega/Leo: Over right
Outside Legend: * Good Luck * Wealth * Health * Happiness
Copyright Legend: COPYRIGHT 1936
Other:

OBVERSE #4
Legend on Saturn: THE USHERS VENICE, CAL.
Large Star points to Sagittarius: Under left leg
Position of 6 to Omega/Leo: Over divider
Outside Legend: * Good Luck * Wealth * Health * Happiness
Copyright Legend: COPYRIGHT 1936
Other: Circle in field left of Happiness perhaps for hole?

OBVERSE #5
Legend on Saturn: THE USHERS VENICE, CAL.
Large Star points to Sagittarius: Under intersection
Position of 6 to Omega/Leo: Past right
Outside Legend: * Good Luck * Wealth * Health * Happiness
Copyright Legend: COPYRIGHT 1936
Other:

I recently picked up another MT241 and made two discoveries (for me at least).

First, it was badly worn, perhaps cleaned over all surfaces with a metal brush, and it appears to be brass with only a few hints of nickel-silver plating left. I wonder if they are all plated and not solid NS.

Second, one side has 38 stars, but the other has 36. The 36 is a 3rd die variety. Another feature is that “DIED14” runs together without a space. Also, the 38 star side exhibits heavy 1/2 inch long die cracks from the rim through the “N” in “BORN” and opposite it, from the rim through the “C” in “DEC”. This is a later state of the die on a 38 / 38 example, which shows only a faint crack. This would mean that the 36 star die was made (or at least used) after the 38/38 variety. I wonder where the 35 star die fits in the order issue?